Method and apparatus for inflating fluid passageways in metal strip

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for inflating lengths of metal strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway, and preferably, long lengths of such strip. The process employs a coil of the metal strip. The metal strip preferably is of a composite metal, wherein the inflatable fluid passageways correspond to patterns of weld inhibiting material. The strip is paid off from the coil and pinched to prevent subsequent inflation from reaching the coil itself. The other end of the strip is clamped in a suitable inflation device through which pressure is applied to inflate the fluid passageway or passageways. The inflation proceeds up to the pinched off portion of the strip. Thereafter, the strip is severed just ahead of the pinching means, yielding a long length of strip having at least one inflated passageway while leaving an open tube in the end of the coil ahead of the pinching means for insertion in the inflation fixture for inflation of a subsequent length of strip. The apparatus comprises means for holding a coil of the strip, pinching means receiving the strip from the coil, inflation means receiving the strip from the pinching means and severing means spaced between the pinching means and the inflation means for severing the strip from the coil after it has been inflated.

United States Patent 51 3,667,266

Keith [45] June 6, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst INFLATING FLUID PASSAGEWAYS IN METAL STRIP Inventor: Norval A. Keith, East Alton, lll.

Assignee: Olin Corporation Filed: May 13, 1970 Appl. No.1 36,783

Attorney-Robert H. Bachman, Gordon G. Menzies and Paul Weinstein [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for inflating lengths of metal strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway, and preferably, long lengths of such strip. The process employs a coil of the metal strip. The metal strip preferably is of a composite metal, wherein the inflatable fluid passageways correspond to patterns of weld inhibiting material. The strip is paid off from the coil and pinched to prevent subsequent inflation from reaching the coil itself. The other end of the strip is clamped in a suitable inflation device through which pressure is applied to inflate the fluid passageway or passageways. The inflation proceeds up to the pinched off portion of the strip. Thereafter, the strip is severed just ahead of the pinching means, yielding a long length of strip having at least one inflated passageway while leaving an open tube in the end of the coil ahead of the pinching means for insertion in the inflation fixture for inflation of a subsequent length of strip. The apparatus comprises means for holding a coil of the strip, pinching means receiving the strip from the coil, inflation means receiving the strip from the pinching means and severing means spaced between the pinching means and the inflation means for severing the strip from the coil after it has been inflated.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJlm 6 I972 3,667, 266

SHEET 1 or 3 NORVAL A. KEITH ZMM W ATTORNEY INVENTOR PATENTEDJun 6 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR I NORVAL A. KEITH v A/j ATTORNEY PATENTED UH 61972 3,667,266

SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR.

' NORl/AL A. KEITH ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INFLATING FLUID PASSAGEWAYS IN METAL STRIP This invention relates to a method and apparatus for inflating long lengths of composite metal strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway. The process employs a coil of the composite metal strip. The strip is paid oft from the coil and pinched just ahead of the coil to prevent subsequent inflation from reaching the coil itself. The other end of the strip is clamped in a suitable inflation device through which pressure is applied to inflate the fluid passageway or passageways. The inflation proceeds up to the pinched off portion of the strip. Thereafter, the strip is sheared off just ahead of the pinching means, yielding a long strip having an inflated passageway while leaving an open tube in the end of the coil ahead of the pinching means for insertion in the inflation fixture. The process is then repeated as desired. The advantages of this approach are that it is more rapid than the prior art techniques and more amenable to automatic operation.

In the past, long lengths of composite metal strip having inflatable fluid passageways were first paid the coil, then sheared and then inflated. In order to inflate the sheared strip, it was necessary to pry open the end of the fluid passageway. In contrast, with this invention there is a ready formed opening at the end of the strip each time it is paid off the coil.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for inflating metal strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway and especially long lengths of such strip.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for inflating composite metal strip fed from a coil, the apparatus being operative to leave at least one open tube at the end of the coil after the length of strip has been inflated.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a process for inflating composite metal strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway wherein strips of any desired length can be inflated from a coil of strip materials.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a detailed discussion of particular embodiments proceeds with reference to the drawings which form a part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a series of perspective views of a typical composite metal strip to which this invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for inflating composite metal strip in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment for the inflation means used with the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the effect of the pinch rolls.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the open end of the strip after processing in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative pinching means useful with the apparatus of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a composite metal strip 1 exemplary of the strip useful with this invention after various steps of processing. The strip 1 with which this invention may be used may be fabricated by the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,690,002, granted to Grenell on Sept. 28, 1954.

For example, referring to FIG. 1A, a pattern of weld inhibiting or stop-weld material 2 is applied to a clean surface of a strip of metal 3. A second strip of metal 4 having a clean surface is superimposed on the surface of the first strip 3 as shown and the two strips 3 and 4 are secured together to prevent relative motion therebetween.

Thereafter, the two superimposed strips 3 and 4 are pressure welded together as by rolling so that the adjacent areas of the strips 3 and 4 which are not separated by the stop-weld material 2 become bonded together. The rolling of the strips 3 and 4 results in reducing the thickness of the two superimposed strips 3 and 4 and in elongating the resulting strip 1 in the direction of rolling, while the width of the strip 1 remains substantially the same as the initial width of the strips 3 and 4.

Following the rolling operation, the resultant strip 1 is usually softened as by annealing to make it more pliable. If desired, it may be further rolled to the final gage and again softened as by annealing. The stop-weld material 2 results in the retention of unwelded portions 5 corresponding to the stopweld pattern which are sandwiched between the outer surfaces of the strip 1. 7

After softening the strip 1, the unjoined portions 5 are usually expanded in accordance with the process of this invention to obtain the inflated strip as shown in FIG. 1B having passageways 6. This expansion is obtained by injecting a fluid such as air, water or oil under pressure of sufficient magnitude such as 500 to 4,000 psi to permanently deform the strip 1 in the area of the unwelded portions 5 so as to form the desired passageways 6. It is to be understood, however, that other methods may be employed in the manufacture of the strip used with this invention.

Further the strip may have a single inflatable fluid passageway or it may have a plurality of such passageways as shown. The pattern or weld inhibiting material may be formed by any desired technique including the process disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 723,055, filed Apr. 22, 1968, by N. A. Keith, the inventor herein and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

The process disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 7,729, filed Feb. 2, 1970, by N.A. Keith, the inventor herein and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention is further illustrative of the processes which may be used to obtain composite metal strip useful with the instant invention. As disclosed therein, the strip may initially be formed as part of a wide sheet which is later slit into the'strip-like material which in turn may be coiled for use with this invention. The strip material made by the processes disclosed above or other suitable process is usually employed in coiled form so that vary long lengths may be accommodated.

In the past, the practice was to pay off the composite metal strip from the coil, shear off a desired length, pry open the end or ends of the uninflated tubular passageway or passageways, insert the pried open end in a suitable inflation fixture followed by inflation of the tubular passageway or passageways. In general, in order to inflate long lengths of strip, it was necessary to clamp one end of the strip in a suitable fixture and clamp the other end in the inflation fixture. These clamping operations and the necessity to pry open the ends of the tubular passageways represent an inefficient process.

In accordance with this invention, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 is employed which results in a considerably more efficient process. The apparatus comprises means 10 for holding a coil 11 of a composite metal strip 1 having at least one inflatable fluid passageway. The holding means 10 is operative to hold the coil 1 1 and pay off its contents or have its contents paid off.

The composite metal strip 1, after being paid off the coil 11 to a desired length, is clamped in a suitable inflation means such as fixture 20. A pinching means such as rolls 30 employed just ahead of the coil 11 both clamp the desired length of strip 1 and pinch it off so that the inflation will not proceed all the way back to the coil 11. After the strip 1 has been inflated, it is severed from the coil 1 l by severing means such as shears 40 located between the pinching means 30 and the inflation means 20. The strip 1 is inflated up to the pinching means 30 and then sheared ofi by the severing means 40. Since the severing means 40 is located ahead of the pinching means 30, the portion of the coil 11 between the pinching means and the severing means is inflated. Thereby, an open tube 7 or tubes is present for insertion in the inflation fixture 20 or for inflating a succeeding length of strip 1.

In the apparatus of FIG. 2, the strip 1 is paid off from the coil 11, the coil holding means 10 not being operative to pay off the strip 1. However, if a motor or other conventional drive were connected to the holding means 10 so as to drive it, the strip 1 could be paid ofi the coil 1 1 in that manner.

could of course be devised. The pinch rolls 31 should contact the strip 1 with just enough pressure to cut off the inflation.

Preferably, care must be exercised to cause no deformation or damage to the strip 1. The pressure exerted by the pinch rolls 31 on the strip 1 is adjusted by moving them closer together or further apart. Any conventional means could be used for obtaining this adjustment. Alternatively, the strip could be manually paid off the coil, for example, as by merely pulling it off.

Spaced ahead of the pinch rolls 31 is the severing means 40 which comprises shears 41 having cutting edges at 42. The shears 41 are operative to cut the strip after it has been paid off to a desired length and inflated, -by movement in opposing directions as shown by the arrows 43. They may be actuated by any conventional means-as by pneumatic cylinders (not shown). Other suitable means for cutting the strip 1 could be employed, such as for example, cut off wheels, cutting torches or even lasers.

, The strip 1 then extends a desired length as shown in FIG. 2 with its free end 8 being connected to an inflation fixture 20. The fixture shown in FIG. 2 comprises at least one inflation needle 21 which is placed in the corresponding at least one tubular opening 7 at the end of the strip, and a clamping device 22 comprising plates 23 and 24.which are contoured to clamp -the strip 1 about the inflation needle 21. The plates 23 and 24 areactuated to move in opposing directions as shown by arrows 25, by any conventional means as by pneumatic cylinders (not shown). A fluid under pressure which is this case is air, is pumped into the strip 1 by means of a conventional high pressure pump 26, so as to inflate the uninflated passageway or passageways 5. It should be understood that if the strip 1 contains more than one uninflated tubular passageway 5, the inflation fixture 20 will contain a corresponding number of inflation needles21 and the clamping device 22 will be contoured so as to clamp the strip 1 about the plurality of inflation needles 21. h k I It should also be understood that in carrying out the process using'this apparatus when the first length of strip 1 is paid off thecoil 11', it will be necessary to pry open the ends of the uninflated tubular passageway or passageways 5. For succeeding lengths of strip l, this will not be'necessary since open tubes 7 are present in the strip at the end 8 of the coil 11 after the previous strip 1 has been cut off. This is one of the essential features of the instant invention.

The distance between the shearing means 40 and the pinching rolls 31 or other pinching means 30 may be set as desired although it should be at least as great as is necessary for insertion of the inflation needles in the open tubes 7 or insertion of the strip 1 in some other type of inflation fixture 20.

The strip between the pinching means 30 and the inflation fixture 20 may be supported by conventional means (not shown) or if its length is not too great, it may be unsupported.

The process of this invention employing the apparatus of FIG. 2 then comprises paying off the strip 1 having inflatable passageways by means of the pinch roll feed 30 and clamping the free end of the strip in a suitable inflation fixture, inflating the passageways 6 in the strip 1 up to the pinch rolls 31 followed by shearing the strip 1 from the coil 11 at a point ahead of the pinch rolls 31. This process may be carried out by hand, semi-automatically or automatically using conventional sequencing controls. Because it is not necessary to pry open the tube ends after each length of strip is inflated, the process is easily adaptable to automatic sequencing.

While the apparatus of FIG. 2 has been described with reference to the use of an inflation fixture comprising at least one inflation needle 21 and a clamping device 22 with the clamps 23 and 24 contoured to clamp the open end of the strip 1 in a pressuretight arrangement about the inflation needle 21, other types of inflation fixtures 20 may be used.

A particularly preferred type of inflation fixture is shown in FIG. 3. This fixture and ones of similar design are amply described in US. application Ser. No. 875,636, filed Nov. 12, 1969, by Verne L. Middleton, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. The apparatus comprises two opposing plates and 51 which have resilient sealing means such as 0- rings 52 and 53 mounted on each of the opposing faces 54 and 55 of the plates 50 and 51. At least one of the plates 50 and 51 has a pressure cavity 56 for supplying fluid under pressureto the open tube 7 or tubes of the metal strip 1 for inflating the passageways 5 therein. The apparatus also includes means 56 operative to clamp the plates about the'open tubes 7 such as pneumatic cylinders which move the plates 50 and 51 in opposite directions, as shown by the arrows 57. The resilient sealing means 52 and 53 in the clamped position shown sealingly engage the metal strip. This engagement results in crimping the open tubes 7 but does not close them completely. The advantage of this type of inflation fixture 20 over that shown in FIG. 2 is that it is not necessary to accurately align the strip 1 about inflation needles 21 since no needles are used. Therefore, it is even easier to carry out the process by an automatic sequence and there is a significant reductionin the complexity of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a typical strip 1' having a single inflatable passageway 6 which has been inflated up to the pinch rolls 31. This figure and FIG. 5 demonstrate the efiectiveness of the pinch rolls 31 in cutting off the inflation before it reaches the coil 11. The desired length of strip 1 has been sheared off and the portion remaining which is shown better in FIG. .5 comprises the open tube 7 for the succeeding strip inflation. The type of strip 1' shown in this figure is amenable to the formation of integral fins as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,495,657, granted Feb. 2, 1970, by'N. A. Keith, the inventor herein, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. H

It is possible with the apparatus of FIG. 2 or as modified by the inflation fixture 20 of FIG. 3 to include other processing steps in the interval between paying off the strip 1 from the coil 1 1 and clamping it in the inflation fixture. Thus, for example, the strip 1 shown in FIG. 4 could have its edge portions 9 slot into fins which may be bent as desired, in accordance with the referenced patent, prior to being inflated by the apparatus of this invention. The slitting and bending operations would preferably take place between the cut off shears 40 and the inflation fixture 20. I

While the apparatus of this invention'has been described with reference to the use of a pinching means 30 in the fonn of rolls 31, other suitable means for pinching the strip 1 could be employed, as for example that shown in FIG. 6. The pinching means 30 of FIG. 6 does not drive the strip 1 but comprises two opposing clamping blocks 60 which clamp the strip 1 between their opposing faces and pinch off inflation from reaching the coil 11. The clamping blocks 60 could be actuated by any conventional means as forexample, pneumatic cylinders 61 moving the blocks 60 in opposite directions shown by arrows 62. Otherwise, the operation of the apparatus and the inflation fixtures employed with it are basically the same as that described for the embodiment of FIG. 2. However, since the pinching means 30 does not drive the strip 1, it must be paid off by some other means as discussed above.

The apparatus and process of the invention are applicable to any type of strip material having at least one inflatable fluid passageway. The strip material may be made from any desired metal such as aluminum, aluminum, alloys, copper, copper alloys and steel, to name a few.

While the process and apparatus have been described with the inflation step following the paying off of the strip 1, it is possible when using pinching rolls 31 as shown in FIG. 2 to inflate simultaneously as the strip 1 is payed off the coil 11 through the pinching rolls 31. The inflation fixture 20 would of course have to be moveable and ride with the strip 1 as it is paid off. This could be accomplished by conventional means (not shown), as by mounting the fixture on a carriage and driving it along fixed rails. Since the inflation fixture would be driven, it could be used to pay the strip off the coil after it has been clamped in the fixture.

it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are suitable of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for inflating lengths of strip having at least one inflatable passageway defined by a pattern of weld inhibiting material comprising:

a coil of said strip and means for holding said coil;

rolls contacting opposing faces of said strip, said rolls being driven so as to be operative to pay off said strip from said coil and further being operative to pinch ofi' inflation of of said at least one fluid passageway before the inflation can reach the coil;

inflating means receiving said strip from said rolls, said inflation means contacting said strip and being operative to inflate said at least one inflatable fluid passageway in said strip; and

severing means spaced between said rolls and said inflating means, said severing means being operative to sever desired lengths of said strip from said coil after said at least one fluid passageway has been inflated;

whereby after each length of strip is inflated and severed from said coil, said strip at the end of the supply contains at least one open tube corresponding to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway, for inserting in said inflation means, for inflation of a succeeding length of strip.

2. A process for inflating lengths of strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway defined by a pattern of weld inhibiting material comprising:

paying ofi said strip from said supply;

pinching said strip at a point away from said supply so as to prevent inflation of said passageway from proceeding back to said supply;

inflating said at least one fluid passageway up to the pinched off portion, said paying off, pinching and inflating taking place substantially simultaneously; and

severing said inflated strip at a point on the inflated side of said strip just ahead of said pinched off portion;

whereby after each length of strip is inflated and severed from said supply, the strip at the end of the supply contains at least one open tube corresponding to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway, for use in the inflation of a succeeding length of strip.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said inflation means comprises a fixture clamped about said strip, said fixture communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and being adapted to communicate said fluid under pressure to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said severing means comprises shears adapted to sever said strip.

5. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip is paid off a coil and wherein the pinching is obtained by means of rolls which contact opposing surfaces of said strip.

6. A process as in claim 5 wherein said strip is paid off said coil by means of said pinching rolls.

7. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip contains a plurality of fluid passageways.

8. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip comprises a pressure welded composite metal strip wherein said at least one uninflated fluid passageway corresponds to a pattern of weld inhibiting material. 

1. An apparatus for inflating lengths of strip having at least one inflatable passageway defined by a pattern of weld inhibiting material comprising: a coil of said strip and means for holding said coil; rolls contacting opposing faces of said strip, said rolls being driven so as to be operative to pay off said strip from said coil and further being operative to pinch off inflation of of said at least one fluid passageway before the inflation can reach the coil; inflating means receiving said strip from said rolls, said inflation means contacting said strip and being operative to inflate said at least one inflatable fluid passageway in said strip; and severing means spaced between said rolls and said inflating means, said severing means being operative to sever desired lengths of said strip from said coil after said at least one fluid passageway has been inflated; whereby after each length of strip is inflated and severed from said coil, said strip at the end of the supply contains at least one open tube corresponding to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway, for inserting in said inflation means, for inflation of a succeeding length of strip.
 2. A process for inflating lengths of strip having at least one inflatable fluid passageway defined by a pattern of weld inhibiting material comprising: paying off said strip from said supply; pinching said strip at a point away from said supply so as to prevent inflation of said passageway from proceeding back to said supply; inflating said at least one fluid passageway up to the pinched off portion, said paying off, pinching and inflating taking place substantially simultaneously; and severing said inflated strip at a point on the inflated side of said strip just ahead of said pinched off portion; whereby after each length of strip is inflated and severed from said supply, the strip at the end of the supply contains at least one open tube corresponding to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway, for use in the inflation of a succeeding length of strip.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said inflation means comprises a fixture clamped about said strip, said fixture communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and being adapted to communicate said fluid under pressure to said at least one inflatable fluid passageway.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said severing means comprises shears adapted to sever said strip.
 5. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip is paid off a coil and wherein the pinching is obtained by means of rolls which contact opposing surfaces of said strip.
 6. A process as in claim 5 wherein said strip is paid off said coil by means of said pinching rolls.
 7. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip contains a plurality of fluid passageways.
 8. A process as in claim 2 wherein the strip comprises a pressure welded composite metal strip wherein said at least one uninflated fluid passageway corresponds to a pattern of weld inhibiting material. 